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Dubai: One of South Africa's top comedians claims a Dubai events company "misled ticketholders" by selling seats for his comedy show, even after he'd been forced to cancel.
Marc Lottering, originally due to appear in Dubai on July 20, said staff at House of D, an event management team, sold tickets to his show, some priced over Dh200 each, for more than a week after he had categorically informed them he would be unable to perform in Dubai.
Worse still, Lottering fans arrived at the theatre and took their seats before being informed by the "replacement" comedian, on stage, Lottering was unable to make the show. Tickets to the Marc Lottering comedy show were sold at the door just hours before the show began.
Lottering, 40, who has fans all over the world, was forced to cancel his first stand-up show in Dubai after his visa was approved for a date only after the show was scheduled.
Miscommunication
Urged to consider postponing the gig, Lottering claims he had no option but to refuse the offer as the potential dates offered, including July 27, were booked with other shows in his home country.
Lottering's publicist, Allison Foat, is now urging people to seek a full refund for a show they never had the chance to see.
Owner of House of D, Stephan Dupree, has taken full responsibility for the "unfortunate mix up" saying the staff working on his behalf in Dubai were unaware of the miscommunication.
Foat said: "Marc Lottering was contracted to perform in Dubai ... [on] July 20. However, on July 18 the event organiser, House of D, informed Marc's management his visa had been approved but would only allow him entry into Dubai from July 22, after the scheduled date. The implication was the show would have to be cancelled, with ticketholders being notified and refunded."
Foat and Lottering claim that as an alternative, House of D suggested Marc postpone the show for a week, a date which unfortunately conflicted with a prior performance commitment for Marc. Finding herself in a sticky situation was Zeina Roz, a freelance events organiser based in Dubai who did her best to do her job and plan, organise and execute the event.
She claimed that until 5.45pm, just over an hour before the show was scheduled to start at the Ibn Battuta Mall, she had no idea Lottering was not booked to perform.
"At 5.45pm I was shocked to be greeted by another South African comedian. He told me he was doing the show and went on stage. That was the first I knew so I told as many people as I could from then onwards," said Roz.
Lottering only discovered the truth after fans posted messages of good health on his website after fans were told he could not perform due to "severe bronchitis".
Foat said: "Marc asked House of D to inform the audiences about the visa problem but has since been informed this was not the reason given. This week Marc has been inundated with calls and e-mails from shocked and disappointed fans [who] heard he was 'ill with bronchitis'."
Lottering said: "I have never not pitched for a show in my life and I was as fit as a fiddle and ready to perform in Dubai on July 20, as contractually agreed upon. It is important for my fans to know this situation was beyond my control and I have not received any payment whatsoever."
Dupree, who is based in South Africa, said: "We have apologised to Lottering for our miscommunication. House of D takes full responsibility and we apologise to all our hired staff in Dubai." He said all tickets are being refunded.
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